As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Project Engineer in the United States is $156,516 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $75.
However, a Lead Project Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Lead Project Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Project Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Project E... Level Lead Project Engineer | $116,461 |
| Project E... Level Lead Project Engineer | $133,231 |
| Lead Proj... Level Lead Project Engineer | $156,364 |
| Project E... Level Lead Project Engineer | $82,384 |
| Project E... Level Lead Project Engineer | $116,667 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Lead Project Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Project Management | 7.83% |
| Installation | 2.73% |
| Land Development | 1.47% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Systems Engineering
|
$162,777 |
4%
|
|
Quality Control
|
$161,211 |
3%
|
|
Data Collection
|
$159,646 |
2%
|
|
Coordination
|
$159,646 |
2%
|
|
Initiative
|
$159,646 |
2%
|
|
Presentation
|
$159,646 |
2%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lead Project Engineers enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Lead Project Engineer with a No Diploma is between $138,898 and $147,916).
Lead Project Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 6.7% |
| High School | 13.3% |
| Associates | 13.3% |
| Bachelors | 46.7% |
| Masters | 33.3% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Lead Project Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on April 01, 2026Salaries for a Lead Project Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $164,773 in 2023 to around $156,247 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Lead Project Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $164,773 |
| 2024 | $161,055 |
| 2025 | $156,247 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Lead Project Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.
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